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Economy of Iraq vs Switzerland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Iraq has a GDP of $254B compared to $1.04T for Switzerland, ranking 54/197 and 20/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iraq has $137B in government debt (53.9% of GDP), compared to $411B (39.4% of GDP) in Switzerland.

Iraq vs Switzerland GDP by year

Iraq
Switzerland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iraq Switzerland
2025 $254,367,293,538 $1,043,529,899,251
2024 $279,641,257,615 $969,919,786,395
2023 $268,881,051,644 $928,435,275,852
2022 $287,372,232,138 $858,479,038,994
2021 $209,691,945,713 $840,710,023,481
2020 $180,898,797,517 $756,096,180,222
2019 $233,636,097,800 $736,384,764,157
2018 $227,367,469,034 $740,766,531,454
2017 $187,217,660,051 $706,660,443,624
2016 $166,743,557,748 $698,607,778,795
2015 $166,774,104,959 $706,199,008,879
2014 $228,415,656,175 $741,168,119,617
2013 $234,637,675,129 $718,748,402,260
2012 $218,002,476,129 $697,882,536,677
2011 $185,749,664,444 $727,231,637,102
2010 $138,516,722,650 $609,999,593,542
2009 $111,657,580,326 $563,659,557,945
2008 $131,614,434,154 $574,703,945,157
2007 $88,837,057,320 $498,993,845,385
2006 $65,147,051,918 $448,364,681,767
2005 $50,065,104,668 $424,511,048,024
2004 $36,633,669,269 $409,012,909,530
2003 $21,921,569,479 $366,563,952,625
2002 $32,928,454,672 $313,930,961,761
2001 $36,176,430,129 $290,160,142,214
2000 $48,364,250,944 $282,327,351,966
1999 $36,881,601,584 $301,911,268,140
1998 $20,617,405,044 $306,907,741,068
1997 $20,764,857,056 $298,868,250,534
1996 $10,433,698,621 $345,373,647,249
1995 $12,894,029,888 $358,152,520,085
1994 $3,991,349,283 $305,916,331,798
1993 $1,031,944,881 $276,339,744,180
1992 $553,671,958 $284,139,428,246
1991 $407,796,350 $272,953,645,746
1990 $180,408,064,516 $269,768,238,555
1989 $65,831,935,484 $211,241,694,480
1988 $62,684,516,129 $218,788,504,066
1987 $56,774,193,548 $202,238,567,597
1986 $47,264,516,129 $161,487,171,049
1985 $48,425,161,290 $112,652,623,418
1984 $46,938,387,097 $111,104,641,869
1983 $40,712,903,226 $116,361,728,836
1982 $42,382,333,333 $116,776,899,473
1981 $37,823,000,000 $113,936,168,924
1980 $52,569,000,000 $124,404,609,417
1979 $37,816,457,839 $116,702,524,208
1978 $23,762,275,652 $103,821,687,919
1977 $19,838,130,715 $74,237,819,014
1976 $17,754,825,601 $69,508,364,538
1975 $13,458,516,763 $66,452,559,176
1974 $11,516,762,614 $57,963,469,607
1973 $5,134,367,778 $50,296,651,921
1972 $4,113,848,002 $37,399,508,287
1971 $3,865,346,535 $30,492,832,676
1970 $3,281,318,687 $25,374,750,743
1969 $3,007,758,797 $22,780,211,812
1968 $2,896,598,841 $21,024,203,656
1967 $2,551,522,656 $19,689,329,510
1966 $2,530,306,096 $18,290,928,227
1965 $2,335,785,506 $17,033,079,428
1964 $2,136,408,198 $16,071,715,835
1963 $1,805,901,510 $14,499,109,270
1962 $1,784,174,541 $13,185,384,691
1961 $1,671,960,965 $11,889,851,950
1960 $1,537,252,193 $10,569,129,806

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/iraq/switzerland | CC BY

GDP per capita in Iraq vs Switzerland by year

Iraq
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Switzerland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iraq Switzerland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,410 - $114,769 -
2024 $6,074 $14,464 $107,702 $96,498
2023 $5,965 $14,653 $104,450 $95,142
2022 $6,521 $14,391 $97,809 $94,421
2021 $4,868 $12,732 $96,583 $81,001
2020 $4,295 $10,574 $87,530 $72,998
2019 $5,672 $12,249 $85,873 $73,732
2018 $5,647 $12,034 $87,002 $70,689
2017 $4,759 $10,192 $83,610 $68,194
2016 $4,334 $9,079 $83,432 $67,351
2015 $4,440 $9,334 $85,265 $65,265
2014 $6,249 $13,168 $90,512 $63,417
2013 $6,650 $14,669 $88,851 $61,656
2012 $6,478 $14,402 $87,270 $59,441
2011 $5,776 $12,912 $91,910 $57,494
2010 $4,462 $12,186 $77,956 $54,426
2009 $3,715 $11,687 $72,788 $52,999
2008 $4,543 $11,657 $75,148 $53,809
2007 $3,129 $10,783 $66,082 $50,928
2006 $2,277 $10,223 $59,910 $46,266
2005 $1,762 $9,457 $57,080 $41,525
2004 $1,328 $9,290 $55,350 $40,171
2003 $818 $6,068 $49,947 $38,732
2002 $1,266 $9,682 $43,094 $38,705
2001 $1,436 $10,720 $40,134 $37,819
2000 $1,980 $10,628 $39,298 $36,703
1999 $1,560 $9,194 $42,261 $34,743
1998 $901 $7,964 $43,166 $33,860
1997 $936 $6,020 $42,160 $32,736
1996 $485 $5,034 $48,838 $31,509
1995 $619 $4,598 $50,869 $30,842
1994 $198.2 $4,560 $43,741 $30,265
1993 $53.7 $4,509 $39,828 $29,495
1992 $30.3 $3,547 $41,327 $29,113
1991 $23 $2,694 $40,140 $28,792
1990 $10,261 - $40,171 $28,461
1989 $3,791 - $31,780 -
1988 $3,707 - $33,183 -
1987 $3,436 - $30,899 -
1986 $2,940 - $24,828 -
1985 $3,088 - $17,411 -
1984 $3,066 - $17,247 -
1983 $2,743 - $18,128 -
1982 $2,942 - $18,271 -
1981 $2,700 - $17,931 -
1980 $3,868 - $19,686 -
1979 $2,871 - $18,541 -
1978 $1,863 - $16,528 -
1977 $1,609 - $11,819 -
1976 $1,489 - $11,029 -
1975 $1,166 - $10,484 -
1974 $1,031 - $9,140 -
1973 $476 - $7,974 -
1972 $394 - $5,973 -
1971 $384 - $4,908 -
1970 $337 - $4,105 -
1969 $320 - $3,712 -
1968 $319 - $3,465 -
1967 $290.6 - $3,286 -
1966 $298.2 - $3,091 -
1965 $284.8 - $2,908 -
1964 $269.4 - $2,776 -
1963 $235.5 - $2,546 -
1962 $240.7 - $2,366 -
1961 $232.4 - $2,188 -
1960 $218.9 - $1,984 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/iraq/switzerland | CC BY

Iraq's GDP per capita is $5,410, ranking 119/197, compared to $114,769 in Switzerland, ranking 5/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iraq ranks 115th at $14,464, while Switzerland ranks 8th at $96,498.

Economic indicators

Iraq Switzerland
Gross domestic product
$254B
2025
$1.04T
2025
GDP rank
54/197
2025
20/197
2025
GDP growth
-2.16%
2024-2025
1.3%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$5,410
2025
$114,769
2025
GDP per capita rank
119/197
2025
5/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,464
2024
$96,498
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
115/197
2024
8/197
2024
Government debt
$137B
2025
$411B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.9%
2025
39.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$2,917
2025
$45,239
2025
Government debt per person rank
108/185
2025
12/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,782
2026
$89,347
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.51T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
944,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
45
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.2%
2023
26.6%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
2.9%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
42.7%
2025
31.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.3%
2024-2025
0.15%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
0%
2025
Unemployment rate
16.2%
2021
4.84%
2025
Population
48531417
9155878

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iraq
Spending

Debt
Switzerland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iraq Switzerland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 42.7% 53.9% 31.2% 39.4%
2024 41.7% 45.2% 31.3% 40.5%
2023 41.2% 42.1% 30.9% 37.3%
2022 33.9% 39% 30.5% 35.9%
2021 36.3% 54.7% 33.4% 39.7%
2020 41.9% 72.5% 36.3% 42.4%
2019 34.7% 41.7% 31.3% 38.8%
2018 31.1% 44.4% 31.1% 39%
2017 35.5% 55.9% 31.9% 41.1%
2016 42.4% 60.3% 31.9% 40.3%
2015 43.5% 48.3% 31.9% 41.4%
2014 43.8% 27.6% 31.5% 41.2%
2013 48.2% 32% 32% 41.2%
2012 42.9% 34.8% 31.1% 41.9%
2011 43.4% 40.7% 31% 41.2%
2010 49.6% 53.5% 30.9% 40.7%
2009 61.1% 87.4% 31.2% 42.4%
2008 57.3% 74.2% 29.6% 44.2%
2007 44% 117.1% 29% 44%
2006 50.3% 143.2% 30.1% 47.7%
2005 63.2% 227.3% 31.9% 54.1%
2004 91.5% 344% 32.6% 57.1%
2003 - - 32.8% 56.2%
2002 - - 33.6% 56.9%
2001 - - 31.2% 50.5%
2000 - - 31.9% 51.7%
1999 - - 32.8% 52%
1998 - - 32.3% 55.3%
1997 - - 32.5% 52.9%
1996 - - 32.5% 50.6%
1995 - - 32% 49.3%
1994 - - 32% 46.4%
1993 - - 31.9% 43.7%
1992 - - 30.8% 38.9%
1991 - - 29% 34.6%
1990 - - 27.2% 32.8%
1989 - - 30% 32.5%
1988 - - 30.3% 35%
1987 - - 29.8% 36.5%
1986 - - 29.8% 37.6%
1985 - - 30.1% 39.1%
1984 - - 30.4% 39.8%
1983 - - 31.2% 40.2%
1982 - - 30.5% 40%
1981 - - 29.4% 40.8%
1980 - - 29.9% 43.9%
1979 - - 30.5% 44.6%
1978 - - 30.4% 46.6%
1977 - - 31% 46.9%
1976 - - 31.6% 46.7%
1975 - - 29.3% 42.3%
1974 - - 27.5% 38.4%
1973 - - 26.5% 37%
1972 - - 25.7% 38%
1971 - - 25.4% 38.7%
1970 - - 25.8% 38.9%
1969 - - 9.45% 7.08%
1968 - - 8.87% 6.99%
1967 - - 8.68% 7.26%
1966 - - 8.95% 7.62%
1965 - - 8.33% 8.28%
1964 - - 8.85% 9.43%
1963 - - 8.2% 10.8%
1962 - - 8.1% 12%
1961 - - 7.97% 14%
1960 - - 7.11% 16.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/iraq/switzerland | CC BY

In 2025, Iraq's government spending was $109B, accounting for 42.7% of its GDP, while Switzerland spent $326B, or 31.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.9% in Iraq and 39.4% in Switzerland, ranking 95/185 and 136/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iraq

Switzerland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iraq Switzerland
2025 -6.41% 0.45%
2024 -3.45% 0.53%
2023 -1.14% 0.12%
2022 8.1% 1.15%
2021 -0.38% -0.28%
2020 -12.8% -2.96%
2019 0.83% 1.31%
2018 7.69% 1.26%
2017 -1.52% 1.11%
2016 -14.4% 0.23%
2015 -12.8% 0.54%
2014 -5.63% -0.24%
2013 -6.06% -0.42%
2012 4.09% 0.23%
2011 4.74% 0.67%
2010 -4.18% 0.35%
2009 -14.9% 0.49%
2008 -0.86% 1.91%
2007 9.98% 1.55%
2006 10.7% 0.83%
2005 4.07% -0.64%
2004 -35.4% -1.37%
2003 - -1.34%
2002 - -1.72%
2001 - 0.2%
2000 - 0.28%
1999 - -1.55%
1998 - -1.29%
1997 - -2.3%
1996 - -1.98%
1995 - -1.83%
1994 - -2.55%
1993 - -3.1%
1992 - -2.92%
1991 - -1.82%
1990 - -0.05%
1989 - 0.2%
1988 - 0.42%
1987 - 0.78%
1986 - 0.93%
1985 - -0.25%
1984 - -0.52%
1983 - -1.23%
1982 - -1.21%
1981 - -0.54%
1980 - -1.34%
1979 - -1.79%
1978 - -1.12%
1977 - -1.64%
1976 - -1.89%
1975 - -0.93%
1974 - -1.01%
1973 - -0.93%
1972 - -1.39%
1971 - -1.41%
1970 - -1.44%
1969 - -0.98%
1968 - -0.73%
1967 - -1.07%
1966 - -0.87%
1965 - 0.05%
1964 - 0.77%
1963 - 0.25%
1962 - 0.95%
1961 - 0.34%
1960 - 1.95%
1959 - 0.72%
1958 - 0.59%
1957 - 0.66%
1956 - 2.24%
1955 - 1.1%
1954 - 1.44%
1953 - 0.38%
1952 - -1.17%
1951 - -0.36%
1950 - 1.49%
1949 - 0.04%
1948 - 1.37%
1947 - 1.27%
1946 - 0.52%
1945 - -7.57%
1944 - -9.37%
1943 - -8.55%
1942 - -7.28%
1941 - -8.78%
1940 - -10%
1939 - -5.05%
1938 - -1.53%
1937 - -0.17%
1936 - -0.33%
1935 - -0.23%
1934 - -0.33%
1933 - -0.88%
1932 - -0.3%
1931 - 0.03%
1930 - 0.07%
1929 - 0.22%
1928 - -
1927 - -
1926 - -
1925 - -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.12%
1912 - 0.03%
1911 - -0.006%
1910 - -0.14%
1909 - -0.78%
1908 - -0.1%
1907 - -0.02%
1906 - 0.15%
1905 - 0.41%
1904 - 0.002%
1903 - 0.09%
1902 - 0.02%
1901 - -0.14%
1900 - -0.07%
1899 - 0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/iraq/switzerland | CC BY

In 2025, Iraq's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $16.3B, equivalent to 6.41% of GDP. This compares to Switzerland's surplus of $4.71B, or 0.45% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Iraq recorded a fiscal deficit in 14 of those years, while Switzerland ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, Iraq posted an annual deficit equal to 3.17% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.31% of GDP for Switzerland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iraq

Switzerland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iraq Switzerland
2025 0.3% 0.15%
2024 2.61% 1.06%
2023 4.36% 2.14%
2022 4.99% 2.84%
2021 6.04% 0.58%
2020 0.57% -0.73%
2019 -0.2% 0.36%
2018 0.37% 0.94%
2017 0.18% 0.53%
2016 0.56% -0.43%
2015 1.39% -1.14%
2014 2.24% -0.01%
2013 1.88% -0.22%
2012 6.09% -0.69%
2011 5.6% 0.23%
2010 2.43% 0.69%
2009 6.87% -0.48%
2008 12.7% 2.43%
2007 -10.1% 0.73%
2006 53.2% 1.06%
2005 37% 1.17%
2004 27% 0.8%
2003 33.6% 0.64%
2002 19.3% 0.64%
2001 16.4% 0.99%
2000 4.98% 1.56%
1999 12.6% 0.81%
1998 14.8% 0.02%
1997 23.1% 0.52%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/iraq/switzerland | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Iraq has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10%, compared with 0.59% in Switzerland. In 2025, inflation was 0.3% in Iraq and 0.15% in Switzerland.

Top exports between countries

Iraq
Export category Export value
Switzerland
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $134M
Machinery & equipment $116M
Precious metals & jewellery $21.4M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $12.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $5.06M
Metals $1.4M
Raw materials & minerals $660K
Miscellaneous $253K
Wood & paper products $244K
Raw agricultural goods $132K

Balance of trade

Iraq Switzerland
Current account balance
$8.37B
2024
$72.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
27/190
2024
11/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.99%
2024
+6.98%
2025
Goods imports
$74.3B
2024
$508B
2025
Goods exports
$101B
2024
$617B
2025
Service imports
$30.2B
2024
$214B
2025
Service exports
$10.2B
2024
$195B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.4%
2024
69.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
39.8%
2024
78.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Iraq Switzerland
Economic freedom 15.6 83.7
Economic freedom ranking 196/197 2/197
Property rights 8.3 94.4
Government integrity 20.2 93.3
Judicial effectiveness 5.8 98.3
Tax burden 85.5 70.9
Government spending 65.3 69.5
Fiscal health 95.7 97.2
Business freedom 42.8 86.3
Labor freedom 60.6 60
Monetary freedom 68.6 82.3
Trade freedom 40 87
Investment freedom 10 85
Financial freedom 10 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iraq
Switzerland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iraq Switzerland
2026 - 83.7
2025 - 83.7
2024 - 83
2023 - 83.8
2022 - 84.2
2021 - 81.9
2020 - 82
2019 - 81.9
2018 - 81.7
2017 - 81.5
2016 - 81
2015 - 80.5
2014 - 81.6
2013 - 81
2012 - 81.1
2011 - 81.9
2010 - 81.1
2009 - 79.4
2008 - 79.5
2007 - 78
2006 - 78.9
2005 - 79.3
2004 - 79.5
2003 - 79
2002 15.6 79.3
2001 17.2 76
2000 17.2 76.8
1999 17.2 79.1
1998 17.2 79
1997 17.2 78.6
1996 17.2 76.8

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/iraq/switzerland | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Iraq is 15.6, ranking 196/197, compared to 83.7 for Switzerland, ranking 2/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Iraq Switzerland
Services, % of GDP
52.3%
2025
71.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
45.4%
2025
25%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.41%
2025
0.64%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$267B
2025
$1T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$14,290
2025
$101,690
2025
Total reserves including gold
$101B
2024
$1.08T
2025
Total reserves ranking
30/177
2024
4/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$8.09B
2024
$37.6B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$7.65B
2024
-$108B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$439M
2024
-$27.9B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.22%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.5%
2023
15.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.1%
2024
29.5%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/iraq/switzerland | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.